A child is brought to the emergency department for treatment of an acute asthma attack. Which medication should the nurse administer first?

In the context of treating an acute asthma attack, the first-line therapy involves the administration of a β2 agonist. These medications are specifically designed to quickly relax and dilate the airways by stimulating β2 adrenergic receptors in the smooth muscle lining the bronchi. This action decreases bronchoconstriction, allowing for improved airflow and immediate relief of wheezing and shortness of breath commonly associated with an asthma attack.

While oral corticosteroids are effective for long-term management and reducing inflammation, they take several hours to start working and are not suitable for immediate relief during an acute episode. Similarly, leukotriene modifiers offer benefits in asthma management but are not intended for immediate relief of acute symptoms. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, while useful for managing pain and inflammation, do not directly address the bronchospasm occurring during an asthma attack.

Therefore, administering a β2 agonist first provides the quickest and most effective relief of acute symptoms, making it the appropriate choice in this scenario.